The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1887-06-02

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gravel walks and amidst its tall cedars,
and saw 1900 graves, and ZOO white
slabs, that mark the resting place OF as
many Union soldiers, who. in this remote
cemetery, sleep their last long sleep. AS
gazed upon the I5,00e graves of the dead,
who had fallen at ChickamauSa or MISSION
Ridge, or by dread wounds, or disease,
realized how sad had been the close of
their earthly career,.dyinI, called ny
strange hands, ana in n strange land. For
all these dead, we bear tribute today We
honor their memory and We styew flowers
upon the place where they rest In peace
One of the characteristics OF our s0lulerS,
that we recall with pride, was that their
motive for enlistment was the good of our
land. The English could not understand,
during the Revolutionary war, why 1t was
that our swamps produced soldiers, ana
why our fore-fatherS with their armies de-
featej, and their cities garrisoned, did not
surrender. When Paris falls, all France is
conquered. The English were astonished
TO see defeat only swell the ranks OF the
Revolutionary army. The same patriot
ism was manifested III 1861. I he Seceding
of states. the fall of Fort Sumpter, the dis
aster at Bull Run, only served as 1nstru-
mentS to pour out more money. and more
men II Lee had routed Monde at Gettys-
burg, and exposed Pennsylvania TO inva-
sion, IL Morgan had captured Cir cinnatl,
what would have been the effect upon the
~
federate army would ha, e found armies
springing into existence, and would have
C conquered one, only tn raise up another,
might;cr in its power. The Union army
was not to be conquered. 1t was to be the
conquerur. The troops were not hired
HeSsians they were not fighting for the
pittance OF I6 and two third dollars per
month, but because they believed they
were right Such armies aie unconquer-
able. Our soldiers entered the army with
good motives. they fought with disciplin,
ed vaior they preserved this great land
of ours, and they shared that patriotism
that plainly indicates, that they had with
in them those higher qualities necessary
for the life when warfare is en- Ged. viii
Jesus. 1t is not all in faith, or sermons, not
all in talks about goodness, but he who
loved his parents, he who loved his wife
and children, he who loved his country;
he is the good man. When God III rshals
his army, the lame, and the blind viii. be
there. Those who loved home and count
ry will love heaven. These two attributes
are the substance, the reality. A man
camping upon the field of battle; or any
other called duty, as he does when upon
the bended knee. Our soldiers may have
had their faults. may have committed
errors, but they showed that faith, that
love of home, kindred and country, which
is noble as heaven, and worthy of its en-
joyments. Many of our soldiers that sur
vived the war, have, since the carnage,
TO see their Nation again united. to see
home, and then to die. We desire for the
dead we desire for tine living, that while
living, they shall hear and receive the
thanks of grateful people. We desire
that our people may Keep alive Il venera-
tion for the old flag. and that our soldiers,
living and dead, shall not be forgotten. To
do this. we are willing that the crippled
livirg may all receive bounties, and that
the innumerable dead on this beautiful
spring day, may have their graves strewn
with flowers, and their names honored Tor
this land from bondage and
dis union. Butobjections have been made
to these ceremonies, because they tend 10
keep alive the wounds OF war. We desire
10 perpetuate no emnities, God kEows.
One war caused enough sorrow. We hope
our generation, yea, that the children of
today, will not be called upon to share
like contest. The misguided Southcrners
were brave, and deserved better cause.
But we can not forget oar dead, for fear 1t
will ALLEVIATE those already alienated.
Those who decry these ceremonies were
arrayed in armies against the Union, and
would yet eAUlt in its dismembernent.
Indeed, few upon Southern soil believe and
talk against this ceremony. We cannot, |
for the memory of ZOilicofer and Sidney |
Johnson. forget the hero of Balls Bluff, or |
our dead leaders, Thomas, Mcpherson, LO- |
gan, Meade and Grant. There should be |
Dne common feeling between every sect |
on Of this colntry, but in that common
y
,ur duty to always have n sentiment loyal |
n or country. 1t Is our duty to honor |
lie fathers who crea ted this government,
md 1t Is our duty to keep alive feelings OF
S5l, who have gone down to the dust
m order our country might live. He, who |
or fear OF enmities will not hold up the de-
lender of the flag, denies his country, and |
IS disloyaI to her. Where is the nation |
hat forgetS the deeds of her sons? Did our |
fathers cease to be proud of |
heir deeds, after the eight years OF war
eni led, and peace was declared 10 exist be
.ween them and the mother country? Did I
he soldiers oflSi2 cease to celebrate the Sth |
If January after the war ended? No, the |
athers of the Revolution, Bunker's Hill,
ind Trenton are sehool-hoy words: Eng
las not yet ceased to tell of her Nelson's,
and Wellingtons. France
ret speaks OF the days when she deiied
Austria and Prussia, and laid all Moscow
n ruins. Mus. we, for lear of enmities. go
way back, and talk only of the Greeks
md of their 800 brave Spartans? No, We
ire wiser and desire to perpetuate the
memory OF our countrymen men we nave
cen with our own eyes; men whose VIC
ory we hailed with shouts and parades
men that we saw laid in their graves men,
whom we followed with reversed arms and
nournfnl music; men, who In spite OF all
,ur efforts, too soon passed away from our
In all ages, those who have fall
Ell in their country's defense, have re
eived deserving tributes. The pyIemlis
II Egypt were built as sepulcherS OF their
dead. The Greeks went to
he excess of hiring mourners to express
heir grief. The Romans bui!tio monu-
nentS and populous cities in commeinofa-
ion of their heroes. There are other things
,esides canals and railroads and cEurches
hat do COOL. That which creates in us
owe OF cur native land is good. it Is good
which encourages proper veneration LOT
he dead. Here at these ceremonies come
nen who are not members of the church,
rho care not to share its blessings. but to
hese commemorations TO good deeds, and
0 the dead, they come in, and snare
ommon sentiment. 1t is of great impor- I
ince TO continue ceremonies that arouse
ceilings OF patriotism, and to oppose what
Yer appears to destroy 1t. In America,
uShed on by an eager desire tor wealth,
re forget often our God and our country.
We forge: that SOON we must meet the one
nd leave the other to be enjoyed, or en- =
urei after US. IN Switzerland, where g,
Leak mountains and eternal SHOWS are
yer found and where years are wrapped
4 winter, there where 10 pleasures alssi,
ate the attention and their history IS all ,
1untry with an enthusiastic zeal: In a {
1untry SO vast and busy as ours, 1t Is well
perpetuate ceremonies that cherisn pa
'iotism. 1t Is no unreasonable deinahu 10
" aside orr work one day upon the OPEN c
ig of each year, and to assemble around
nc gray yes OF our gallant dead.
Just after the close of the war, White the
ne events OF the preceding years, these
ceremonies were established: At first
reat crowds assembled, but the novelty
gone, passions are lulled, and our dead
sem to be passing, in the minds OF some,
lto oblivion. We hope that the patriot
IN, that existed in the hearts OF the RevO- /,
fathers, and of our fatherS ana
ms, has not died in us. We aic here TO
rev flowers over their graves, and to re-
ew our fealty to the country in whose SER g
ice tn, gave up their lives. We are here,
OF only to think again of them, but to
erpotuate tie free government they be-
acathed 10 us. How often we have heard Z
he prayer that others might be raised up
+, take the Church and bear the cross az r
n the old members had passed away: 80
ow must our Revolutionary fathers have
,oked into the future, and prayed tnat the
ms and daughters yet to be born. would
@ worthy to carry on this great nation.
Aud while we honor thus the dead, we
mink we speak for them, and for loyalty,
hen we recall today what their mothers,